50 



Beekeeping 



(Fig. 40). The cells containing pollen are usually not en- 

 tirely filled and, unless they are also used for the storage of 

 honey, as is sometimes the case, the pollen is not covered. 



While the usual conception of the use of the combs includes 

 only the uses just mentioned, the cells actually have an im- 

 portant use as places for adult bees. In winter the bees 

 normally form their cluster over cells containing no honey 

 and adult bees crawl into the empty cells, filling every one 



within the space 

 occupied by the 

 cluster. They are 

 thus able to form 

 a much more com- 

 pact mass, the out- 

 side of the cluster 

 being essentially a 

 solid wall of bees. 

 During the active 

 season, bees often 

 crawl into the 

 empty cells, but 

 their function dur- 

 ing this time is 

 not clear, except 

 that by this means 

 cells are prepared to receive eggs. It has been suggested 

 that many of these bees are "sleeping," but how one may 

 determine this has not been explained. 



Arrangement of the nest. 



There is to be observed in a natural colony a definite and 

 virtually constant arrangement of the contents of the combs. 

 During the active season, the brood occupies an approxi- 

 mately spherical spa^e involving several combs at the lower 

 part of the center of the comb mass. This space may be 

 shifted or restricted by excessive stores of honey. Around 

 this, on the sides and above, are cells of pollen and beyond 



Fig. 39. — Cappings of brood ; the larger cap- 

 pinga are over drone pupee. Natural size. 



